When the Minister is a Woman

Two experienced women pastors share their ministry experiences and those of many female colleagues in order to encourage fledgling women ministers and seminary students on their pathways to local church ministry. Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes describe the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful in ministry to help women develop realistic expectations as they enter their first church assignments.

Description

Two experienced women pastors share their ministry experiences and those of many female colleagues in order to encourage fledgling women ministers and seminary students on their pathways to local church ministry. Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes describe the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful in ministry to help women develop realistic expectations as they enter their first church assignments.

With humor and energy the authors look back through their experiences of seeking a position, accepting a call, negotiating equitable salary and benefit packages, accepting the lack of acceptance of some parishioners, finding their particular strengths in ministry, and working within the local church and the local community to extend God’s kingdom.

Despite all the barriers met and opposition faced, Harmon and Rhodes come out with a tone of joy and enthusiasm for ministry. They show how following God’s call has brought difficult times for family and friends, but in the end has proved joyful and rewarding for all. Thus they conclude by welcoming all their sisters to follow God’s call no matter the obstacles and find the same joy and fulfillment they have found.

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 96

“Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes have done more than author a book. This is more than a text to read. When the Minister Is a Woman is an invitation to join others in conversation, over tea or coffee. Harmon and Rhodes, hosts at the table, serve as storytellers who invite our own thoughts and stories, and become mentors and companions in our experience of being women in ministry. An excellent discussion starter, I recommend this frank and loving conversation for men and women in ministry, and for women who are discerning a call into ministry.” —Wendy Miller, author of Jesus, Our Spiritual Director

“Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes have written a compelling reminder that the way things are now are not the way they have always been and that the contemporary path to ministry for women has not been and is not always easy. In so many subtle ways we males still tend to dominate the show…I recognize that I will never fully understand the impact of the ‘glass ceiling’ on their ministries and the subtle but real ways that we have inhibited the potential of women clergy. Through their compelling first-person, real-life experiences Barbara and Debra are helping us to look at ourselves and our ministries today.” —John R. Deckenback, conference minister, Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ

“There are so many things I can say about this book—that it is factual, insightful, creatively helpful—but one thing is for sure, I have never read anything like it, by women clergy speaking in their own voices from their own truths about the ways they are finding to serve the God of their understanding. Refreshingly beautiful and poignant. A must-read for women hearing a call to ministry, women who have answered that call, and all who know them.” —Judy Blonski, All Faiths Dialogue and Celebration,
San Marcos, California

Description

Two experienced women pastors share their ministry experiences and those of many female colleagues in order to encourage fledgling women ministers and seminary students on their pathways to local church ministry. Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes describe the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful in ministry to help women develop realistic expectations as they enter their first church assignments.

With humor and energy the authors look back through their experiences of seeking a position, accepting a call, negotiating equitable salary and benefit packages, accepting the lack of acceptance of some parishioners, finding their particular strengths in ministry, and working within the local church and the local community to extend God’s kingdom.

Despite all the barriers met and opposition faced, Harmon and Rhodes come out with a tone of joy and enthusiasm for ministry. They show how following God’s call has brought difficult times for family and friends, but in the end has proved joyful and rewarding for all. Thus they conclude by welcoming all their sisters to follow God’s call no matter the obstacles and find the same joy and fulfillment they have found.

More Details

Binding: Paperback

Pages: 96

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Journal Reviews & Endorsements

“Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes have done more than author a book. This is more than a text to read. When the Minister Is a Woman is an invitation to join others in conversation, over tea or coffee. Harmon and Rhodes, hosts at the table, serve as storytellers who invite our own thoughts and stories, and become mentors and companions in our experience of being women in ministry. An excellent discussion starter, I recommend this frank and loving conversation for men and women in ministry, and for women who are discerning a call into ministry.” —Wendy Miller, author of Jesus, Our Spiritual Director

“Debra Harmon and Barbara Rhodes have written a compelling reminder that the way things are now are not the way they have always been and that the contemporary path to ministry for women has not been and is not always easy. In so many subtle ways we males still tend to dominate the show…I recognize that I will never fully understand the impact of the ‘glass ceiling’ on their ministries and the subtle but real ways that we have inhibited the potential of women clergy. Through their compelling first-person, real-life experiences Barbara and Debra are helping us to look at ourselves and our ministries today.” —John R. Deckenback, conference minister, Central Atlantic Conference, United Church of Christ

“There are so many things I can say about this book—that it is factual, insightful, creatively helpful—but one thing is for sure, I have never read anything like it, by women clergy speaking in their own voices from their own truths about the ways they are finding to serve the God of their understanding. Refreshingly beautiful and poignant. A must-read for women hearing a call to ministry, women who have answered that call, and all who know them.” —Judy Blonski, All Faiths Dialogue and Celebration,
San Marcos, California